Green Vine Snake

The green vine snake (Ahaetulla nasuta) is a diurnal snake. They are slow moving, relying on camouflaging as a vine in foliage. The snake expands its body when disturbed to show a black and white scale marking. Also, they may open their mouth in threat display and point their head in the direction of the perceived threat.

Distribution

It is commonly found in dense bushes and plantations. It hides in dense green vegetation of low height, found both in hills and plains. Lives in variety of forests including mixed, dry and moist deciduous forests. It is not found in deserts.

Prey

This reptile normally feeds on frogsand lizards, birds and other smaller snakes, using its binocular vision to hunt.

Breeding

The Green Vine snake is viviparous, giving birth to young that grow within the body of the mother, enclosed within the egg membrane.

Myths

There is a widespread myth in parts of southern India that the species uses its pointed head to blind its human victims, one of the major reasons as to why it is killed. In certain communities in Southern India this is another myth as well. If you touch this snake you become a good cook!

Venom

The Green Vine snake is a semi venomous, its venom being mild and causes swelling to humans, which subsides within three days from the bite.